The Wife Takes a Flyer (1942): Besetzung, Handlung & Streaming

Released in 1942, The Wife Takes a Flyer is a komödie, krieg and liebesfilm film directed by Richard Wallace, running about 86 minutes. “SHOT DOWN FROM THE SKIES...BUT HIS HEAD WAS STILL IN THE CLOUDS!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Christopher Reynolds, an American flying with the R.A.F, is shot down over German-occupied Holland and is given shelter by a Dutch family. Posing as the insane husband of the daughter of the house, Anita Wolverman, Reynolds convinces the German officer quartered there, Major Zellfritz, with the necessity for her divorce decree to be granted. After the court-hearing, Anita, goes to manage a home for retired ladies and, persuaded by Reynolds, tries to gain military information from the German Officer. When her former husband escapes from the insane-asylum his exploits are blamed on Reynolds. With the help of the old ladies and Anita, who "remarries" him, Reynolds escapes to England in a stolen German airplane.

Who’s in it. The Wife Takes a Flyer stars Joan Bennett as Anita Woverman, Franchot Tone as Christopher Reynolds, Allyn Joslyn as Major Zellfritz and Cecil Cunningham as Countess Oldenburg, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 4.0/10, The Wife Takes a Flyer has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Wife Takes a Flyer page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Wife Takes a Flyer tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Das Leben ist schön and Fight Club.